Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Donald Matthys
Published on 2024-03-02 06:00:00
The Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, under the leadership of James Mnyupe, has made significant strides by appointing seven executives to its newly established office for three-year contracts starting on 1st February.
James Mnyupe, who previously served as an economic advisor to President Hage Geingob, was appointed as Namibia’s first green hydrogen commissioner by Geingob in the past year. The green hydrogen office operates under the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Last year in August, the office announced the availability of executive positions, and with the assistance of hiring agency Potentia, the following executives have been appointed: Joseph Mukendwa as the head of policy, planning, and strategy, Eline van der Linden as the head of environmental, social, and governance, Nikol Hearn as the head of transactions, Theopolina Kapani as the head of technical and construction, Roswitha Gomachas as the head of the legal department, and Nerago Ndoroma-Neditunga as the head of the programme management office. Additionally, David Nghimwenavali has been appointed as Mnyupe’s executive assistant.
Providing an update on the progress of the green hydrogen programme, Mnyupe shared that his office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade, has developed a green industrialisation blueprint. This blueprint is set to be presented to the Cabinet this month for endorsement, after which it will be released to the public to showcase Namibia’s potential as a hub for clean manufacturing, diversified exports, and increased employment opportunities.
Furthermore, the office is planning to conduct a market sounding exercise by the end of the second quarter of this year to assess investor interest in developing assets essential for cost-effective production in the planned green hydrogen valleys.
In addition to these developments, the Namibia Hydrogen Fund Managers, a subsidiary of Mnyupe’s office, has secured a grant of nearly US$1 million from the United States Agency for International Development for the SDG Namibia One Fund. This fund, managed in collaboration with Climate Fund Managers and the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia, aims to promote green energy, water access, job creation, emission reduction, and sustainable economic growth, with a target total fund value of US$1.15 billion.
Mnyupe also mentioned that Hyphen Hydrogen Energy Namibia, the developer of Namibia’s first large-scale green hydrogen project in Lüderitz, is finalizing pre-feasibility assessments this month and will kick off the formal feasibility study phase. Engagements with the International Finance Corporation and local stakeholders demonstrate Hyphen’s commitment to upholding socio-environmental responsibility.
Overall, the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, under the leadership of James Mnyupe, is making significant progress towards establishing Namibia as a key player in the green hydrogen industry, with a focus on sustainable development and economic growth.
Read the original article on The Namibian
